 | ||||||||
For information on conifers for troughs and rock gardens, please click the "Troughs/Rock Gardens" tab.
Unfamiliar botanical names, and the need for dry, sandy or rocky sites can make gardening with alpines a bit tricky. However, given time and practice, you will discover an interesting alternative to traditional perennial gardening. Creating rock gardens and gardening in troughs is a fun and rewarding experience.
Note - Alpines that have pictures will be written in dark green and underlined. Click on the name of the alpine to view the picture.
Acantholimon litwinovii
Jovibarba heuffelii 'Beacon Hill' Copyright ©2013, Evergreen Gardens. All Rights Reserved.
Spiny blueish-gray cushions which are a little friendlier than most in the species. Pink flowers. Sun. 6" x 18"
Acantholimon venustum var venustum
Quite uniqe but truly spectacular! Balls of pinkish flowers arise from razor-sharp blueish mounds. Likes full sun. 8" x 18"
Achillea ageratiflolia...New 2013
Common name: Greek Yarrow
A low-growing deciduous mat that has ½ - 1" wide white flower clusters on 4 - 10" tall stems in June. Silvery, hairy, foliage is tufted. 6-9" tall x 9-12" wide.
Achillea huteri
Common name: Yarrow
Yellow daisies, July - Sept, 3", Sun
Achillea tomentosa 'Nana'
Common name: Yarrow
Soft yellow umbels June - July, 2", Sun
Alchamilla faeroensis var pumila
Common name: Dwarf Lady's Mantle
Finer in texture and more compact than the common Alchemilla mollis and better suited to the rock garden and for edging. Yellow-green leaves with velvety silver backing. Short sprays of chartreuse flowers appear in June. Rare. Sun/Part Shade. 3-4" tall x 8-12" wide.
Anacyclus depressus silberkissen
Common name: Mount Atlas Daisy
Peppermint buds open to white daisies April - June. 4" x 6-12" lacy foliage. Full sun, poor soil. Does not like winter wet. Rock gardens, troughs, or rock crevices
Androsace lanuginosa
Common name: Rock Jasmine
A summer-flowering trailing species, with evergreen, velvet/fuzzy-textured leaves and umbels of pale pink flowers. 3-4" tall x 12-15" wide. Sun/Part shade
Androsace primuloides 'Chumbyi'
Common name: Rock Jasmine
3" x 6" downy rosettes with lavender -pink flowers. Looks like a tiny primrose. Admittedly similar, this really IS different than Androsace sarmentosa 'Chumbyi'. This one is tighter, but both are very nice! Likes afternoon shade.
Androsace sarmentosa 'Chumbyi'
Common name: Rock Jasmine
One of my favorite alpines. Umbels of rose-pink flowers are just one part of the story with this plant. The dense, fuzzy rosettes that spread by runners make this plant a standout any time of the year. Sun to part shade in gritty soil. One of the easiest Androsace to grow. Zone 5. 3" x 8".
Androsace sempervivoides 'Susan Joan'
Tight mats of green rosettes that turn red in winter. An extra heavy bloom of bright pink flowers. Likes afternoon shade.
Androsace sempervivoides
Common name: Rock Jasmine
Clumping rosettes of this plant resemble sempervivums. Rose/mauve flowers with yellow centers emerge on short stems from the center of the rosettes early to late May. Does prefer some afternoon shade. Does not like to be too wet or too dry. Height - less than 6". Space 6-9".
Aquilegia saximontana...SOLD OUT!
Common name: Alpine columbine
Blue with white corolla, May - June, 6", Sun/Part shade
Aquilegia scopulorum...SOLD OUT!
One of the most beautiful of all the tiny columbimes. Large blooms in shades of blue with very long, trailing spurs. Trough 4" height
Arabis albida 'Variegata'
Common name: Rock Cress
Single white flowers, May, 4", Sun/Part shade
Arabis bryoides
Hairy, greyish green rosettes form tiny mounds. Large white flowers on short stems appear in spring. 2" height. Full sun.
Arabis caucasica compacta 'Snowball'
Common name: Wall Rockcress
Darling, 6" alpine bush, with masses of dainty white flowers blooming spring to early summer. Beautiful planted with spring bulbs, in pots, or in a rock garden. To promote a neat, compact growth habit shear back right after bloom. Full sun, 6" x 12
Arabis ferdinandi-coburgii 'Variegata'
Flat, green and white mats, with 4-5" tall, white umbels in spring. Zone 3
Arabis kellereri
Common name: Rock Cress
White clusters, May - June, 3", Sun
Arabis sturii
Common Name: Rock Cress
Dense, shiny, dark green foliage, with showy white flowers in spring. Gows 5-8" tall and 12-15" wide. Zone 4
Arctostophylos coloradoensis
Common name: Hybrid Manzanita
Originally found growing on the Uncompaghre Plateau of western CO. A robust evergreen plant with cinnamon-red exfoliating bark and shell-pink flowers in April or early May. Dry, red fruit ripen in the fall. Likes morning sun/afternoon shade. Well drained soil. Maintain regular watering for the first few growing seasons. Zone 5. 4-6" x 12"
Arenaria alfacarensis
Common name: Sandwort
This alpine originated in Spain and features tight, compact buns of tiny triangular grayish-green foliage. Stemless white flowers in summer. Grows 2" tall x 6" wide. Troughs or crevices in the rock garden. This plant is hard as a rock!
Arenaria balearica
Common name: Sandwort
Small white flowers - June, 1", Sun/Part shade
Arenaria 'Blue Cascade'
Rich blue, needle-like foliage makes tight mats. White flowers on 4" stems. 2" height. Full sun
Arenaria hookeri v. desertorum...New 2013
Common name: Hooker's Sandwort
Starburst, white flowers on short stems cover these short, dense cushions of green, sharp needles. Spring flowering. 2" x 12". Zone 4
Arenaria obtusiloba
Dense mats of needle-like foliage. White flowers. Zone 5.
Arenaria erinacea
Common name: Sandwort
White, May - June, 2", Full sun/Part shade
Arenaria sp. Ex Grand Canyon
White flowers, rigid needle-like foliage. 2-4" x 12"
Arenaria tetraquetra
Common name: Spanish Soapwort
A drought tolerant creeper that is great in rock gardens. Large white, stemless flowers appear in May to early June. Deep green, evergreen foliage becomes a dense, hard mat. A cute little plant! Full sun, height: 1-2"
Arenaria 'Wallowa Mtn'
Alpine and Rock Garden
Tight rich-green cushions with tiny white flowers. Forms a green mat as hard as a rock! People go nutty over this one! An intriguing Oregon native.
2" x 12", Needs good drainage, Full sun to partial shade, Zone 5
Armeria caespitosa
Common name: Thrift
Short-stemmed pink flowers. 3" x 6", Sun
Armeria juniperfolia 'Bevan's Variety'
A much loved alpine thrift. Virtually stemless, globular pink flower heads appear on 3-5" dark green, grassy mounds in early summer. Zone 3
Armeria juniperfolia 'Rosa Stoltz'
Common name: Sea Thrift or Sea Pinks
Tiny, grass-like tussocks of dark, evergreen foliage bear myriads of pastel lavender, button flowers on 3" stems late in the spring to early summer and often again in fall. Zone 3
Armeria maritima 'Little Penny'
Common name: Sea Thrift or Sea Pinks
‘Little Penny’ is noted for its reddish-purple foliage and crimson red flowers. This is a compact, low-growing plant which forms a dense, mounded tuft of stiff, linear, grass-like, red/purple-tinged leaves (to 3” tall). Tufts will slowly spread outward. Tiny, crimson pink flowers bloom in mid spring in globular clusters atop slender, naked stalks rising above the foliage to 4-5” tall. Sporadic additional flowering may occur throughout the summer. Full sun, Zone 5
Armeria welwitschii
Common name: Thrift
A nice addition to the rock garden. Long, slender leaves can reach up to 4" long x ½" wide. The plant itself will be 12" x 12". A small, low-growing perennial with pink pom-pom type flowers late spring to early summer. In colder climates, put in a trough that goes in for the winter.
Artemesia 'Tiny Green'
Common name: Wormwood
New diminutive alpine, 2-3" high with mat-forming gray-green foliage and tiny, yellowish button flowers in summer. An especially worthy gem to plant in the rockery or trough. Zone 5
Asperula sintenisii
One of the best. ½" tubular pink blooms in late spring which totally cover the tiny gray foliage. 2"
Aubrieta deltoidea 'Dawn'
Common name: Double Rock Cress
Double, Rose Pink. Mat-forming. 5". Spring bloomer. Sun, part shade.
Aubrieta deltoidea 'Dr. Mules'
Magenta-purple flowers look radiant April- May as they bloom in masses over attractive, medium green, mounding foliage. Grows 3-4" tall. Semi-evergreen. My favorite! A real standout in the garden or trough! Zone 5
Aubretia deltoidea 'Purple Heart'
Common name: Double Rock Cress
Double, Royal purple flowers are stunning in the spring of the year. Mat-forming mound. 5" tall. Sun, part shade.
Aubretia gracilis ssp scardica
Very dense, hard domes of small foliage. Purple flowers on short stems. Great for troughs, rock gardens and crevices of walls. Needs good drainage. 4" height.
Aubrieta olympica
Large single blue blooms on 1" stems stand amongst tight mats of tiny toothed foliage in spring. Second bloom in fall possible. 1" Height. Full sun/part shade.
Bolax glebaria
Common name: Plastic Plant
Rock Gardens, Groundcovers; Full sun/part shade; Zone 4
Tight glossy mats of stiff rosettes invite an exploratory touch and feature tiny yellow flowers in summer. Falkland Islands. Loves warm weather. Perfect for rock gardens, all season ground cover or as Bonsai companion plant. Only 1" tall! Requires well drained soil with some grit, fine gravel or sand mixed in and a slightly alkaline pH.
Campanula anomala...New 2013
Common name: Bellflower
Tufted cushions of hairy leaves topped with solitary dark violet-blue, upward-facing flowers on short stems in summer. 3" x 12". Zone 4
Campanula belidifolia
Vibrant violet-blue star-shaped blooms in spring over dense little tufts of daisy-leaved foliage. 3" x 5". Caucasus
Campanula cochlearifolia 'Elizabeth Oliver'
A great choice for the rock garden! Nodding, pale periwinkle double flowers bloom July - September over mat-forming foliage with small, rounded leaves. It spreads but does not reseed like the species. Grows to 4" tall. Zone 4
Campanula cochlearifolia 'Miss Willmott'
Delicate, nodding pastel violet-blue single flowers rise above emerald green ovate leaves. Use in rock gardens or close to a path. Full to part sun.
Campanula portenshlagiana syn. C. muralis
Groundcover reaching 4" in height. It sports purple flowers throughout the summer. Attacts bees and butterflies.
Campanula rotundifolia...New 2013
Common name: Bluebell of Scotland
Wiry stems of blue flowers that bloom early summer. 12" x 15". Zone 3
Centaurium scilloides
A rare form of centaury. Pink flowers are significantly bigger than others in the species. They are held on 3" stems in early summer. A member of the gentian family. An herb that has long been used in herbal medicines.
Cotoneaster dammeri 'Streib's Findling'
One of the lowest growing Cotoneasters. Flat-growing groundcover with dense, tiny blue-green leaves. Use on banks, berms, or cascading over walls. Evergreen. Full sun. Zone 5 (6). 6" x 8'
Crassula peploides
Common name: Jade Plant
Alpine variety forms aggressive mats with small 1" white flowers. Zone 5
Crassula sedifolia
Common name: Jade Plant
Dense pods of congested rosettes, formed by tiny, bronzed, fleshy leaves are covered with small white flowers on 1" stems in summer. Sunny locations.
Zone 4
Daphne arbuscula 'KD'
A small Daphne species suitable for rock gardens, crevices or troughs.
Daphne arbuscula 'Muran Crevasse'...New 2013
Longer, thin leaves on a plant about half the size of daphne arbuscula. Hardy to -30 degrees. Clear pink flowers in spring. Trough, rock garden.
Daphne cneorum v. puszta...New 2013
Dark green evergreen foliage and low, spreading habit with a height of 1'. Wider than it is high. Deep pink spring flowers which are very fragrant. Rare.
Daphne 'Maisy Larae'
(D. circassica x D. arbuscula)
A very compact little dome of narrow, dark green foliage. It has large, fragrant rosy-purple blooms and stays small enough for a trough. Rare.
Daphne oleodeis x compact form
Not much information on this one yet. But…it's a Daphne, how could it be anything but great!
Daphne x hendersonii 'Aymon Correvon'
Fragrant shell pink flowers. 6" x 12". Sun/pt shade.
Daphne x hendersonii 'Fritz Kummert'...New 2013
Smaller than normal leaves on a vigorous plant. Bright pink buds open to a paler pink flower, giving a two-tone effect. 8" - 12" tall
Daphne x susannae 'Anton Fahndrich'...New 2013
A neat, compact shrub for rock gardens and troughs. Small dark-green, slightly hairy leaves with scented dusky pink-purple flowers in April/May. Cushion habit. Eventually reaching 15" x 3', but slow growing. Does not like winter wet!
Daphne x whiteorum 'Beauworth'...New 2013
Clear pink very fragrant rose/pink flowers in early summer. 12-18" x 24". DOES NOT LIKE WINTER WET.
Delosperma congestum 'Gold Nugget'
Common name: Hardy Ice Plant
Yellow, daisy-like flowers with succulent leaves that turn bright red in winter. Drought tolerant plant that likes afternoon shade. Zone 4
Dianthus arapendianus ssp Pumilis
Dense hard domes of tiny green leaves with masses of small pink blooms on short stems. Good for crevices, walls, rock gardens and troughs. 4" height. Full sun
Dianthus callizonus
Common name: Maiden Pinks
A rare alpine native to only a small area of Carpathians Mountains. Pink flowers in the spring.
Dianthus 'Eileen Lever'
Clusters of bright pink flowers cover this dense cushion of sharp, blue-green foliage in summer. Trough or rock garden. Sun
Dianthus hybrida 'Minimounds'
Common name: Hardy Carnation
Bright pink, May - June, Tiny leaves - cute!, 2-4", Sun
Dianthus 'Little Joe
Beautiful mounds of blue foliage and single flowers of richest dark red make this a standout in the rock garden. Height: 5" Full sun.
Dianthus microlepis...New 2013
Gray-green leaves with pure pink flowers. Plant form a cushion. Zone 3
Dianthus myrtinervius
A tight cushion which is covered with stemless bright pink flower in mid-spring
Dianthus nivalis
Common name: Rock Pink
Pink, June - July, 2", Sun
Dianthus petraeus
Gorgeous white ruffled flowers with dark purple centers. Spring.
Dianthus petraeus subsp minutiflorus
Sorry, no information on this one yet!
Dianthus petraeus subsp. noeanus
Alpines, Perennials
Midsummer - intensely fragrant, snow white, frilly flowers with toothed petals, borne singly on upright stems. It makes mats of narrow, pointed, rather stiff leaves, green, but slightly glaucous. Zone 4 (5),
Mature size: 3-6" x 10", Full sun to part shade
Dianthus simulans
Common name: Rock Pink
Rose red, June, 3", Sun
Douglasia montanna
Common name: Rocky Mountain Dwarf Primrose
Small cushion of needle-like foliage covered with pink flowers in late spring. It needs to have very well drained, scree-type soil. Great for troughs. Afternoon shade. Zone 5. 5" x 4"
Draba alpina v. glacialis
Common name: Alpine Rockcress Draba
Alpines, Rock Gardens; Full sun; Zone 4
Bright yellow flowers over tightly packed mounds of hairy rosettes. Norway, Russia
3-4" tall
Draba aizoides
2-4" tall with basal rosettes that form a nice central mound. Umbels of ¼" yellow flowers late winter to mid-spring. Zone 3
Draba brunifolia
Slender-leafed rosettes build slowly to form tight low mats and bear masses of bright yellow blooms in spring. Caucasus to Turkey 3" x 12" Sun/part sun Excellent trough plant
Draba bryoides imbricata
Common name: Whitlow Grass
Small yellow flowers April - May, 1-2", Sun
Draba dedeana
Alpines, Rock Gardens
Dense cushions of tightly stacked deep green rosettes adorned in spring with a crown of short-stemmed white jewels. Rare to find a white-flowering draba! Spain, in moist shady places.
Size: 3" x 4", Full sun
Draba grayana
Common name: Whitlow grass
Yellow, April - May, 3", Sun
Draba hispanica
Forms rather large domes of very hairy narrow leaves. A heavy bloomer with bright yellow flowers held on 2" stems. Deemed one of the best draba for the rock garden. 4" height. Full sun
Draba polytricha
Bright yellow flowers bloom in early spring on tufts of evergreen foliage with hairy, rounded leaves. Grows 2" tall. Armenian native. Zone 3
Draba rigida
This Draba makes a dense cushion of tiny rosettes with clusters of yellow flowers on 2-3" stems. We have found this to be quite hardy in the open rock garden. Requires a very well drained soil in full sun. 3"h x 4", Zone 4
Draba sphaeroides
Common name: Ball draba
Diminutive, cushion-forming alpines which are among the earliest plants to bloom in spring. Best grown in a trough where they can be viewed more closely. Pointed leaves with tiny hairs are arranged on rosettes at the end of "trunk-like" branches, althogether forming mounds that bloom in early spring with yellow flowers. Zone 3. 3-4" x 6"
Edrianthus graminifolius
Common Name: Grassy Bells
6" tufts of grass-like blades send up violet-blue bells in ball-like clusters in summer. Zone 4
Edrianthus owerinianus
Common name: Grassy Bells
Known for the nearly stemless, vibrant violet-purple, trumpet-shaped flowers that are large and nearly hide the foliage. Tight silver cushions. This one needs sharp drainage and plenty of sun. 2" height.
Edrianthus pumillio
Beautiful blue, upright bells sit on a grassy cushion in summer. Very well drained soil in full sun. 3" x 5"
Erigeron algidus
Dark green, spathulate leaves. Large blue-purple daisies on 2-3" stems. 3" height. Full sun
Erigeron compositus ex: Railroad Ridge...New 2013
A heavy bloom of lavender-blue flowers on short stems cover this small form. Good plant for a crevice, rock garden or trough.
Erigeron compositus 'Red Desert'...New 2013
A tiny plant good for troughs. Daisy-like flowers. Likes it dry. Afternoon shade in hot climates.
Erigeron hybrida 'Canary Bird'
Common name: Alpine Fleabane
Lemon yellow daisies May-Sept. 3-5". A wonderful little plant! Sun (afternoon shade in hot climates).
Erigeron hybrida 'Goat Rocks'...New 2013
(E. aureus x e. compositus)
Tufts of hairy, silver-gray foliage with bright lemon-yellow flowers on 3" stems. An RHS Award of Merit 2001 recipient.
Erigeron leiomerus
A favorite fleabane! Dense mat of small spathulate leaves. Covers itself with pretty blue daisies in late spring.
Erigeron scopulorum (scopulinus) ex Fred Case
Nice mats of lacey silvery foliage. White daisy-type blooms. Part shade - Shade. Less than 1" tall.
Erigeron uncialis...New 2013
Common name: Lone Fleabane
A really small plant. Rock gardens or troughs
Erigonum umbellatum v aureum...New 2013
Common name: Sulphur-flower buckwheat
Good plant for bees, butterflies and hummingbirds. Sandy or rocky soil, full sun. Yellow umbels that age to various shades of bronzy orange in the late summer/early fall.
Erinus alpinus 'Oliviana'
Common name: Alpine balsam
Pink, May - June, 2-4", Sun
Erysimum kotschyanum
Common name: Dwarf Yellow Wallflower
Stunning show of yellow flowers as the crocus and forsythias begin to bloom in the spring. Plant has a mild, sweet fragrance. Light green leaves with jagged edges. Grows 1-2" tall x 6" wide
Genista lydia
Common name: Hardy Dwarf Broom
This small shrub will be a highlight of your spring garden as profuse yellow flowers smother it. Cascading evergreen stems mold beautifully around boulders and drape gracefully over ledges. A slow, but steady grower, putting on 3-5" of growth/year, eventually forming a groundcover-like shrub. Likes hot, sunny spots. Not particular about soil as long as it is well-drained. 12" x 4". Zone 4
Gentiana acaulis
Intense deep blue trumpets on glossy green rosettes in spring-early summer. 3" x 12" Wow! Europe.
Gentiana acaulis 'Krebs'
The rich, dark-blue trumpet flowers of 'Krebs' are the largest of the gentians. Full sun. Height - 6"
Gentiana petrei
Summer blooming gentian with clusters of intensely blue flowers. Full sun/Part shade. Moist, well-drained soil. Height: 6-8"
Globularia cordifolia
Common name: Globe Daisy
Small-leaved, evergreen foliage on a slow growing, mounding plant. Small blue powder puffs May - June. Plant 4" tall, spreading. Sun
Globularia cordifolia 'Nana'
Common name: Globe Daisy
Small-leaved, evergreen foliage on a slow growing, mounding plant. Small blue powder puffs May - June. Plant 2-3" tall, spreading. Sun
Gypsophila aretioides var. Caucasica
Common name: Alpine Baby's Breath
White, June - July, ½ - 1", Sun
Gyosophila bungeana
Common name: Baby's Breath
Tight, dark-green cushions with white clusters of flowers on short stems. Full sun/part shade. Grows less than 5"
Gypsophila cerastioides
Common Name: Baby's Breath
Very low, clumping form reaches 2-4" in height. Pure white flowers have distinct purple veins. Foliage may be evergreen in warmer areas. Excellent addition to rock garden. Zone 4
Gypsophila franzii nana compacta
Common Name: Baby's Breath
A nice, compact, mound of blue-gray foliage producing a multitude of very small, pale pink flowers in summer. Grows 2-3" tall.
Gypsophila petraea
Common name: Alpine Baby's Breath
White, May - June. 1-4". Sun
Gypsophila repens 'Filou Rose'
Common name: Baby's Breath
Masses of starry, single, fragrant pink flowers appear early summer over mats of low blue-green leaves. Clip plants immediately after bloom to encourage re-bloom. Use as a groundcover in small areas, in rock gardens, mixed containers, edging, or cascading over walls. Drought and heat tolerant once established. Butterflies like it! 4-6" x 6-10". Full sun.
Heterotheca jonesii
Tight gray-green, fuzzy mat with yellow daisies May - September. 3" x 8"
Heuchera cylindrica 'Alpina'
Dwarf alpine with tidy mounds of dark green lobed leaves and upright spikes of chubby white flowers in the spring. Part shade. 2" x 8"
Heuchera rubescens 'Troy Boy'
This diminutive coral bell is perfect for a rock garden or the front of the border. Tiny, pale pink flowers, tipped with green , bloom in spring. The compact foliage stays tidy with bright green, rounded leaves all season long. Grows to 5". Zone 5
Hutchinsia alpina
White, June - Aug, Foliage tuirns red in the fall, 2" Sun/Part shade
Hymenoxys scaposa
Common name:
Thrift-leaf Perky Sue
Blooms spring and fall! A xeric plant. Full sun. A spectacular plant for the rock garden.
Iberis candolleana
Common name: Rock candytuft
Tiny leaves curl upward from dense mats of creeping stems, covered with rounded heads of white, purple-tinted flowers in spring. Full sun. Zone 4. 2" x 8"
Iberis saxatilis
Common name: Candytuft
3" tight cushion with white blossoms April - May. Good rock garden plant.
Zone 3
Iberis saxitalis 'Pygmaea'
The tiniest member of this species. Flat mats of tiny, dark-green foliage with clusters of white flowers held at the tips. Great plant for troughs! 1" height.
Junellia wilczekii
A low, creeping plant with small foliage that adds to the spidery effect. Pinkish-white flowers cover the tiny branches.
Lewisia 'George Henley'
Common Name: Bitter Root
Plants form tight, symmetrical rosettes of spatulate deep green, thick, fleshy leaves. Flowers are held in racemes and are wine red in color. Best grown in scree or gravely soil or in troughs. Grows 6" tall. Zone 5
Lonicera crassifolia...New 2013
Common name: Creeping Honeysuckle
A slowly creeping groundcover. Dark green glossy leaves. Flowers are small, unscented yellow and orange. Nice!
Lotus corniculatus plenus
Common name: Bird's-foot Trefoil
A mat-forming spreader. Small, orange buds open to pea-like yellow flowers in early summer. Especially good in clay soil. 9-12" spread.
Matthiola montana...New 2013
Common name: Stock
The fuzzy, elongated leaves of this alpine make it a nice compliment to other plants. Beautiful purple flowers on short stems. May be one to place in a trough which goes in for the winter in colder climates. Zone 6
Micromeria croatica...SOLD OUT!
Provides a mid-summer show of dainty reddish-rose colored flowers. A very neat plant which forms a compact dome of tufted foliage. Small enough for a mat in a trough. Full sun. One of my favorites!
Oenothera macrocarpa ssp fremontii
Common name: Evening primrose, Sundrops
Ground-hugging plant with wavy, slender, grey-green leaves. Large, golden cup-shaped flowers June - September. Well -drained, gritty soil with full sun.
Height - 6"
Orostachys spinosa
Low globose gray-green rosettes have a fascinating symmetry. Small insignificant yellow flowers are produced after about 5 years when centers swell into upside down cones. Considered to be amongst the most cold hardy plants, -40 degrees. Siberia, Asia 1" x 4". Great for troughs!
Paxistima canbyi
Common name: Canby's mountain lover
A slow-growing evergreen subshrub that grows approximately ½ - 1" tall. It produces small green flowers in April. The branches of this species spread out along the ground, reattaching to the soil. Prefers part shade in neutral clay soil. Makes a nice groundcover.
Penstemon caespitosus 'Claude Barr'
Common name: Dwarf Beardtongue
Tubular pink flowers. Colorado native. Rounded, dark-green foliage. 1" x 15" . Sun. Zone 4
Penstemon crandallii
Linear foliage forms small mats. Short shoots of bright blue blooms. Xeric. OneA favorite. 3"
Penstemon davidsonii v Menziesii
Blue-violet blooms adorn short stems clothed in small serrated leaves on shrubby compact mats. An exceptionally nice plant! Full sun/Part shade. 4" x 8"
Penstemon davisonii v. menziesii 'Pink'
Huge, soft pink flowers cover exceptional foliage in spring. 2" height
Penstemon davidsonii v. menziesii 'Tolmiei Peak'
Large lavender-blue blooms on very short stems. Flat, flat mats of small dark green toothed foliage. 1" height.
Penstemon 'Dragontail'
A natural hybrid between P. davidsonii and P. rupicola. Flat mats of tiny, acute, blue-green foliage with large violet-pink blooms. 1" height
Penstemon hallii...New 2013
Common name: Hall's Beardtongue
Tall scapes of lavender flowers dwarf the tiny mound of deep green foliage. Afternoon shade in warm climates. Tuck it into the north side of a large rock where it's roots will stay cool and moist. Zone 4
Penstemon nitidus...New 2013
Late April-early May, sky blue flowers rise above grey-green, waxy leaves Native flower of North Dakota grasslands. Can take clay soils. Full sun
Penstemon procerus v formosus
Low, mat-forming with deep violet-blue flowers held above rosettes of ovate foliage in summer. Full sun. 2" x 8"
Petrophytum caespitosum
Common name: Rock spirea
Small bottlebrush-like white flowers appear in summer amidst the blue-green tufts. Good for troughs, crevice gardens, scree beds or rock gardens. 2-4" x 12"
Petrohagia saxifraga 'Lady Mary'
Common name: Tunic flower
Tiny, double pink, carnation-like flowers which overall create a cloud of color in early summer. Good for rock gardens, troughs, crevices, around flagstones, or tucked into a perennial border. Adapts to various growing conditions. Full sun. Zone 5. Height 8"
Phlox silenefolia
Common Name: Mountain Phlox
From Fred Case, this phlox has the tightest form available. Like Silene acaulis with tiny, starry, pink flowers. Zone 3
Potentilla crantzii
Common Name: Cinquefoil
4" tufted dwarf cinquefoil, with loose clusters of golden yellow flowers, often orange-blotched at the base. Spring flowering. Zone 3
Potentilla nepalensis 'Ron McBeath'
Common name: Cinquefoil
Native to the Himalayas. A clump-forming perennial that covers itself with carmine rose flowers with dark red centers. Blooms in late spring through much of the summer. Average to well drained soil in full sun/part shade. Zone 5.
Height 12"
Potentilla verna 'Orange Flame'
Common name: Cinquefoil
Clump-forming, dark green mounds cover themselves with numerous orange-tinted yellow flowers spring to summer. Accepting of most soils in full sun.
Zone 4. 3" x 12"
Potentilla verna 'Nana'
Common Name: Cinquefoil
A fast growing ground cover with dainty, bright green leaves. The golden-yellow spring flowers are a show-stopper and can be seen from a distance. Zone 4. Full sun, can take most soils. 2" x 12"
Primula aricula
Rosettes of fleshy leaves. Vivid yellow flowers with white eyes in spring.
6" x 8". Part shade
Pratia angulata 'Alba'...New 2013
Common name: White star creeper
Low-growing groundcover with rounded foliage. It spreads by branched stems above the ground. Starry white flowers on short stems cover the plant in spring. Reddish-purple fruit appears in the fall - attracting birds.
Primula aricula
Rosettes of fleshy leaves. Vivid yellow flowers with white eyes in spring. 6" x 8". Part shade
Primula marginata 'High Point'
Heavily toothed foliage. Rich royal-purple flowers. 2" x 4"
Primula x allionii 'Airmist'
Tight little domes are covered in spring with pretty pure white flowers. Part shade. 3" x 3"
Rosularia chrysantha
Small, fuzzy, succulent foliage forms attractive pale emerald-green rosettes with large cream flowers blooming late spring-summer. Native to Turkey. Zone 5
Rosularia muratdaghenis
Similar in appearance to a hairy-leaved Sempervivum with small, creamy white to yellow, tubular flowers on short, erect spikes in summer. From the Rocky Mountain Rare Plant Society, it is native to the Turkish Mountains. Zone 5
Salix repens 'Boyd's Pendula'...New addition 3/25/13
Common name: Alpine Willow
A miniature weeping willow great for bonsai! A great ground-hugging form, gray-green leaves with white undersides and small catkins which appear of slender stems in spring. Full sun, Zone 5. 10 yrs: 10" tall x 36" wide
Saponaria 'Bressingham'
Common Name: Soapwort
This fragrant 8" mat-forming, semi-evergreen groundcover has masses of tiny pink flowers June - September. Zone 3
Saponaria lutea
Common name: Yellow Soapwort
Pale yellow flowers bloom July-August. Moderately moist, loamy soil. Full sun. Zone 5
Saponaria ocymoides 'Rubra Compacta'
Common name: Soapwort
Flat mats of creeping stems, covered with rich red flowers in early summer. Full sun/part shade. Zone 3
Saponaria pumilio
Common name: Dwarf soapwort
Native to the East Alps and South Carpathian Mountain in Italy, Austria, andRomania. It likes a sunny site. Flowers are 5-petaled, pink, blooms in August.
Saxifraga cochlearis 'Minor'
4" long scapes of diminutive, star-shaped white flowers rise above compact, lime-encrusted rosettes in June. At maturity 6" wide. Zone 3
Saxifraga paniculata 'Brevifolia Minor'
Spreading mats of green rosettes bearing pretty white blossoms. May-June. Zone 3. Part shade.
Saxifraga 'Rosemarie'
Common name: Rockfoil
Rose-lilac flowers with darker centers. Flowers May-June. 2". Part shade, shade
Saxifraga 'Teckles'
One of the best silvers and in high demand, with striking sprays of white flowers with bright red spots. 2" x 6"
Saxifraga 'Winifred Bevington'
Rosettes of tiny green leaves and plenty of white flowers with pink spots. 5" x 5"
Saxifraga x columpoda
This beautiful natual hybrid (S. columnaris x S. scleropoda) was only recently discovered in the Caucasus. Burnt-orange flowers stand above mounds of oblong leaves.
Saxifraga x Geum
Common name: Hybrid Saxifraga
Light pink, June, 3", Sun
Saxifraga x hornibrookii 'Ariel'
Rose-red, sessile flowers in June. 2". Part shade, shade
Saxifraga x zimmeteri
A natural hybrid between S. paniculata and S. cuneifolia, this cute little saxifrage from Austria has flattish glossy dark green rosettes that are margined in gray-silver and bear sprays of starry white flowers in spring. 3" x 8"
Sedum hispanicum...New 2013
Common name: Stonecrop
Yellow, June, 2", Sun
Sedum makinoi 'Ogon'
Common name: Gold Stonecrop
Yellow leaves and flowers. June, 2", full sun. Does not like winter wet.
Sedum reflexum 'Sea Gold'
Bushy groundcover. Linear green leaves which turn red in the fall. White flowers which are tinged red on the back. 3-4". Does NOT like winter wet!
Sedum spathulifolium 'Capo Blanco'
Common name: Stonecrop
Rounded silver leaves, slow growth and yellow flowers in June make this sedum something special! Slow growing - good for a trough or rock garden. 2", Full sun, part shade
Sempervivum ...see listing at bottom of the page
Silene acaulis 'Frances'
Tight mounds of bright chartreuse with a scattering of pale pink blooms. Part sun. Trough, 2"
Silene acaulis 'Heidi'
Soft green cushions have very fine textured foliage that is sprinkled with rose-pink flowers in early summer. From the Swiss alps. 1" x 8"
Silene acaulis sssp. Acaulis
Wide mats of congested shoots clothed in small bright green leaves. Bright pink flowers are almost stemless. May - June. Grows 4" tall. Zone 3
Silene acaulis 'Tatoosh'
Common name: Moss Campion
Rose pink, May - Aug, 3", Sun
Silene ciliata
Soft pink, petals which curl up, atop striped calex over tight cushions of narrow, shiny-green foliage. Sun/part shade. 2" x 5"
Silene petersonii
Large, recurved sugar pink flowers wihich sprout from gnarled clumps of dark-green linear foliage. 4"
Silene uniflora 'Druett's Variegated'
Common name: Variegated Carnation
Tiny oval leaves have distinct white margins. Attractive 1" white flowers resemble those of its close relative, the carnation, in late spring and summer. Grows 2-3". Sun, part shade. Zone 3
Thymus praecox 'Albiflorus'
Common name: White-flowering Thyme
Plant near a path where foot traffic will release the fragrance! 2" x 18-24"
Thymus praecox 'Doretta Klaber'
One of the tightest forms. Small, fuzzy leaves form a 2" x 12" mat with dark pink flowers blooming May - June. Zone 3
Thymus praecox 'Elfin'
Trough, Full sun/part shade
A slowgrowing groundhugger. Pinkish-lavender flowers appear in summer over tiny mats of glossy green foliage. Purple foliage in the fall. Nice! ½" x 12"
Thymus praecox 'Minor'
Flattest, tightest and lowest form of creeping thyme.. Excellent for rock gardens and between flagstones. Zone 3
Thymus praecox 'Pink Chintz'...New 2013
One of the first thymes to flower. From May-July it smothers itself in stunning pink flowers. A low-spreading ground cover good for alpine gardens, troughs, crevices and between flagstones. Fragrant leaves. 3" x 18". Zone 3
Thymus praecox 'Roseum'
Dense, dark green mats with light pink flowers. Grows just 2" tall, making it a great groundcover or filler for a stone walkway. Zone 3
Thymus quinquecostatus ibukiensis
A showy, Japanese native thyme with low mats, covered with abundant pink flowers. Grows just 2-4" tall with a 12" spread. Zone 4
Thymus quinquecostatus ibukiensis 'Alba'
A native of Japan, this thyme is one of the showiest. Low mats are covered with abundant white flowers. Zone 4
Thymus serpyllum 'Album'
Common name: Mother-of -Thyme
White, June - July, emerald green leaves, 2-4", Sun
Townsendia hookeri
Very narrow gray leaves and large white to pale pink flowers that sit right down on the foliage. 3" height.
Townsendia leptotes 'Jeannie's Purple'...New 2013
Small tufts of linear grey-green foliage. Rich lavender daisies appear in spring.
1" x 3". Perfect little plant for troughs!
Townsendia montana
One of the most colorful species with rich purple daises over tufts of gray-green spoon-shaped leaves. Full sun. 1" x 3"
Townsendia spathulata
Common name: Sword Townsend Daisy
Stemless pink daisies adorn the rosettes of silver spathulate leaves. Great plant for troughs! Full to part sun.
Veronica armena
Common name: Armenian Veronica
Sky blue, June, 2" - 4", Sun
Veronica fruticulosa
Common name: Speedwell
Mat-forming perennial with pale pink flowers. Full sun. Zone 3.
Veronica oltensis
Common name: Alpine Speedwell
Azure blue, June - July, 1", Sun/part shade
Veronica prostrata 'Aztec Gold'...New 2013
Sun-roof, brilliant gold leaves add color to the garden all season. This is a slower-growing veronica. Short spikes of sky blue flowers appear in early summer, making a nice contrast to the foliage. A wide, low, spreading mound.
6" x 12". Zone 4
Veronica rupestris 'Dick's Wine'
Common name: Speedwell
Wine-purple May - July. 2-4". Sun, part shade
Veronica rupestris 'Heavenly Blue'
Common name: Speedwell
4-5" emerald green carpet with brilliant blue flowers in May. Zone 3
Veronica rupestris 'Mrs. Holt'
Common name: Speedwell
Small pink spikes, June and Sept, 2-4", Sun/part shade
Veronica spicata nana 'Blauteppich'
Bright indigo blue flowers in summer over 4-6" mats. Compact grower. Zone 3
Vitalliana primuliflora
Tight cushions of lovely deep green leaves and delightfully fragrant, bright yellow flowers in spring. Fragrant blooms. Bees adore it! Spain 1" x 8"
Jovibarba heuffelii 'Violet'
Jovibarba heuffelii 'Wotan'
Jovibarba heuffelii 'Xanthoheuff'
Jovibarba hirta ssp Arenaria
Semp 'Alpha'...New 2013
Semp arach 'Major'...New 2013
Semp arach 'Ramses'
Semp arachnoideum Robin
Semp arach sssp Tomentosum
Semp Atroviolaceum
Semp Beatrice
Semp Bedivere
Semp Beta
Semp Bronco
Semp Bronze Pastel
Semp C. William
Semp calcarium 'Limelight'
Semp Charlodensis
Semp Collage
Semp Donna Rose
Semp 'Edge of Knight'
Semp 'El Toro'
Semp Emerald Giant
Semp Fame
Semp Fame Montrose
Semp Fimbriatum
Semp Flame
Semp Flamingo
Semp 'Fuego'
Semp Glowing Embers
Semp 'Grammens'
Semp 'Hayling'
Semp Helveticum
Semp heuf Commander Hay
Semp Hot Stuff
Semp Imperial
Semp IWO
Semp 'Jade Rose'
Semp Jungle Fires
Semp 'Limelight'
Semp Lowes
Semp Mayfair Red
Semp Monases
Semp 'Monfort'
Semp 'Oh My'
Semp Ornatum
Semp Pilosella
Semp Pink Delight
Semp Pluto
Semp 'Ramses'
Semp Raspberry Ice
Semp 'Red Ace'
Semp 'Red Gleam'
Semp Red Purple
Semp Tan
Semp 'Tect Tokajense'
Semp Tederheid
Semp Triste
Semp Walcott's Variety
Semp Webby Flame
Semp Zoissieri
